If you're a fan of college basketball then these are the courts that are said to be the best of best to watch a game in. Between the skills the seating and the concessions there's no better place to see a game then these courts.
In first is Kansas' Allen Fieldhouse. Built in 1955 it gets 16,300 fans surprisingly close to the action and makes your eardrums feel on the verge of popping. This place has a charm to it that you just can't find in many arenas. Composed of almost all bleachers fans can populate this building with ease. It was ahead of its time with the bleachers in the corners angled in toward the court and three concourses that spread out the crowd to relieve pedestrian congestion.
Minnesota's Williams Arena comes in second. Built in 1928 it's historic and charming. With a raised playing floor, the first row of fans look at the players at about knee level. They also did a good job of honoring their history by having large banners hanging in the arena of past Gopher greats. The concessions won't put a strain on you're wallet either. This arena can hold about 14, 395 for basketball.
Butler's Hinkle Fieldhouse is another one built in 1928. Try to catch an afternoon game when the sun is shinning in from the windows at the top of the arena as if the heavens are watching the game too. If it doesn't send chills down your back, you are not a genuine hoops fan. The Fieldhouse can house about 11,000 for basketball.
The historic Palestra home court for Penn comes in fourth. It was built in 1927 and seats 8700 for basketball. It is loud and when you walk around the outer concourse, you get a real sense of the history of this sacred basketball building. There are pictures of many of the past greats from the Big 5 who played there hanging on the wall and in display cases.
Finally, Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium ranks fifth. The student crowd, known as the 'Cameron Crazies', are mind blowing with their well-embedded actions and chants for all 60 minutes of the game. A forceful half-time show gets everyone pumped as well. Fans have to squeeze in here a little more than they would like, but the history is great from the architecture of the building to the numerous displays documenting the past. The stadium seats 9,314 screaming fans. |
